Message from Amigos de las Mujeres de Juarez:

Casa Amiga always operates close to bankruptcy. They see large numbers of survivors of abuse and run the only secure shelter in the north of Mexico. As the militarisation of the border increases, we know, based on the work of women like Cynthia Cockburn, that violence against women will only increase. The U.S. is giving millions to Mexico for more militarisation, perhaps some of that money could go to deal with the effects of that militarisation. If you know any donors or foundations that can help, please contact Ester at Casa Amiga or Amigos.

The following information has been translated by Molly Molloy

The Spanish version can be found here .

Ciudad Juarez

Casa Amiga in economic crisis

El Mexicano July 26, 2008

Ana Chaparro

A lack of economic resources for the ongoing work of Casa Amiga is endangering its capacity to help domestic violence victims in the city. Casa Amiga's director, Esther Chavez Cano, is broadening her appeal to the American Union for economic help after being denied funding from the Mexican government.

Early this week, Chavez Cano travelled to Mexico City to visit government agencies INDESOL (National Institute for Social Development) and SEDESOL (Secretariat for Social Development).

"There is no money for organizations like ours that do the work. We have a project that is approved, but there is no money. The government has not given any funds to the director of INDESOL, she says the budget has been cut. This organization exists to help groups such as ours—we do necessary work that the government does not do, but still, they say there is no money," said Chavez Cano in an interview.

And with anger in her voice, she added that there is no money, but there are $30 billion pesos for the federal government's ad campaign for the government oil monopoly, PEMEX. "It is lamentable that they do not give money to those of us who are working with honesty and professionalism, as are many of us in Juarez. It is shameful that there is no space for us (in the federal budget)," commented Chavez Cano.

Chavez Cano said that she would appeal to foreign sources to seek the support denied by the Mexican government. She has set up meetings with several organizations within the American Union in hopes of getting support although she did not mention the groups specifically in order not to jeopardize the chances for Casa Amiga.